A speed boat carrying passengers from Olhuveli Beach Resort to Malé International Airport caught fire shortly after its departure from the resort this morning.
There were a total of 21 passengers on board the vessel when this unfortunate accident happened. Although there were no fatalities, 11 of the passengers are currently being treated at ADK Hospital in Malé for varying degrees of burns.
Those undergoing treatment include 7 tourists – 5 from the United Kingdom and 2 from Austria.
The fire was controlled by Coast Guard Harbour Patrols of the Maldives National Defense Force not too long after the start of the fire. However the speed boat is reported to have been badly damaged.
The Maldives Police Service is currently investigating the accident.